Vennart is the solo sonic moniker of Manchester’s Mike Vennart, former Oceansize singer and co-songwriter, and Biffy Clyro’s live guitarist.
His healthy obsession with Stephen Malkmus, Cardiacs and Robert Smith sees his music take on an intricate math rock bent, with enough spark to fill a stadium.
Earlier this year, Mike heralded his debut solo album, The Demon Joke, with the stunning stereoscopic single Operate.
We caught up with him ahead of his upcoming tour to learn more about his influences, inspirations and going solo...
I have been making music since…
I started playing guitar when I was seven years old and obsessed with Ozzy Osbourne.
My music is…
Pretty eclectic. It’s kind of trippy, mathy and textured.
You'll like me if you listen to…
Mogwai, The Cure, Pavement, Cardiacs and Iron Maiden.
My favourite venue is…
The Paradiso in Amsterdam. It’s just so elegant. I always go there whenever I’ve got a night off in Amsterdam, and whoever’s playing is always at their best there.
Music is important because…
Personally speaking, without it I’d probably have some kind of reductive, unhealthy tendency such as smoking cigarettes or I’d be an alcoholic. Playing the guitar and making music are as much of a crutch and an obsession as any kind of formally recognised addiction for me.
My biggest inspiration is…
Tim Smith from Cardiacs, Stephen Malkmus from Pavement and Iron Maiden.
My dream collaboration would be…
Robert Smith, today at least.
To try me out, listen to my track…
Operate. It’s a kind of mathy stadium rock song.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Entirely redundant as a human.
In 10 years’ time I want to be…
Doing exactly as I am now - making music that I enjoy hearing.
His healthy obsession with Stephen Malkmus, Cardiacs and Robert Smith sees his music take on an intricate math rock bent, with enough spark to fill a stadium.
Earlier this year, Mike heralded his debut solo album, The Demon Joke, with the stunning stereoscopic single Operate.
We caught up with him ahead of his upcoming tour to learn more about his influences, inspirations and going solo...
I have been making music since…
I started playing guitar when I was seven years old and obsessed with Ozzy Osbourne.
My music is…
Pretty eclectic. It’s kind of trippy, mathy and textured.
You'll like me if you listen to…
Mogwai, The Cure, Pavement, Cardiacs and Iron Maiden.
My favourite venue is…
The Paradiso in Amsterdam. It’s just so elegant. I always go there whenever I’ve got a night off in Amsterdam, and whoever’s playing is always at their best there.
Music is important because…
Personally speaking, without it I’d probably have some kind of reductive, unhealthy tendency such as smoking cigarettes or I’d be an alcoholic. Playing the guitar and making music are as much of a crutch and an obsession as any kind of formally recognised addiction for me.
My biggest inspiration is…
Tim Smith from Cardiacs, Stephen Malkmus from Pavement and Iron Maiden.
My dream collaboration would be…
Robert Smith, today at least.
To try me out, listen to my track…
Operate. It’s a kind of mathy stadium rock song.
If I wasn’t making music I’d be…
Entirely redundant as a human.
In 10 years’ time I want to be…
Doing exactly as I am now - making music that I enjoy hearing.
